Salvage

Gangster Dan Varrell, just released from prison, goes looking for the woman he holds responsible for his brother's death. An edgy thriller that boasts fine performances from Nancy Gates and Gene Evans. You really root for Varrell for trying to change Nancy Gate's character's life instead of killing, but not everything is simple as that.

Lois (Nancy Gates) is desperate. She was responsible for pushing her boyfriend unmercifully for more money and he ultimately was killed trying to rob some place in order to afford her. The dead man's brother, Dan (Gene Barry), is in prison but he's due to be released soon...and she and those that know her expect him to kill her. But oddly, when he's about to kill her, he changes his mind and actually helps her turn her life around for the better. Why? Why is this tough guy helping out the woman who helped ruin his brother?

This is a very good installment of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents"...well written, exciting and with a nice twist. Well worth your time.

Although hardly novel, the idea for "Salvage" was great. Despite not caring for Gene Barry in his first 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episode "Triggers in Leash" (one of the episodes that did little for me overall as well), he is an actor who has been good in other things with his 'Columbo' guest star turn being my introduction to him. While this series is a very interesting and well worth watching most of the time, it is uneven with the unevenness already apparent in the previous episodes.

"Salvage" to me is a very good entry in the series and definitely recommended. Yes there is little new here and not many surprises, but it is so much better than the previous three episodes that ranged between just slightly above average to lacklustre ("Triggers in Leash" being the weakest of the three). In my view, it is the best 'Alfred Htchcock Presents' episode since "Premonition", if not quite as good as that episode or quite a return to form for the series.

It could have done with more surprises and more consistent suspense and is a little too on the short side.

However, so much is done very well. Nancy Gates is unsettling and movingly vulnerable, her emotional wreckage not being melodramatic. Barry is also much better here than he was in his previous appearance in the series. Elisha Cook Jr is suitably ratty and one of the standouts of a strong supporting cast. Hitchcock's intro is a lot of fun and one of the best of the early episodes.

Furthermore, "Salvage" is a very well made episode visually with a lot of atmosphere in the photography. The music doesn't come over as over-emphasised or intrusive and matches the atmosphere well, the theme tune still is great. The script is intriguing and flows naturally, the psychological element handled in a way that doesn't feel confused.

Even if the story is not a perfect one, it goes at a good pace (personally was involved), doesn't feel over-stretched or cluttered and has a lot less credibility straining than particularly "Don't Come Back Alive". The ending is nicely executed, rings true at least and doesn't come over as abrupt. It's directed solidly.

Overall, very good on the whole though not a high point of the series. 8/10.

Some time you need to wait a little more while before exacting your revenge.

Dan Varrel (Gene Barry) is out of jail and everyone thinks he is going to kill Lois Williams (Nancy Gates.)

Even pathetic Lois realises that she has nothing to live for. She has already hit rock bottom when Dan finds her. She is even rejected by her lover who has moved on to his next gravy boat.

Lois ratted out Dan's brother to the cops after a failed robbery. He later died in a shootout.

So imagine everyone's surprise when Dan takes pity on her. Opens up a clothes shop so Dan can use it to launder money.

Dan just wants Lois to be happy. He even sets her up to be engaged.

By the end the twist is obvious. Only the schmuck Lois does not see it coming.

There is a nice introductory gag from Alfred Hitchcock about a falling set light.

A young woman betrays the brother of a gangster while he is in prison. She lives in abject terror of his return, knowing that these will be her last days. When he comes to kill her, he realizes that she is so guilt ridden she doesn't even care. He says as much. He wants her to beg, to plead, to get on her knees. Then a strange turn of events. Instead of doing her in, he offers her a business partnership. Of course, we think he is fronting some illegal operation and she will be victimized by it. It is, after all, Alfred Hitchcock. Still, she begins to design clothes and create a very successful dress shop. She is the happiest she has ever been. She is walking on air. There is a lot of byplay with some real noir characters such as Elijah Cook. Gene Barry is quite good as the cold calculating gangster. This is really a solid episode.